Allow us to introduce you to one of electronic music’s most promising new acts, Zeds Dead. The truth is, however, Toronto-based Zeds Dead (AKA DC and Hooks) needs no introduction to the legions of fans that have been on to the electronic/dubstep/progressive duo for the better part of two years. Through positive world of mouth, massive YouTube hits, support from top jocks and a never ending string of tour dates – to cities big and small – Zeds Dead has become one of the most exciting acts of 2011 and a true phenomenon.

Since its inception Zeds Dead has toured the United Kingdom twice and launched their first official North American Tour in Dec 2010, playing over 40 dates throughout Canada and the USA. They toured all around the world in 2011 and embarked on “The Rumble in the Jungle Tour” playing summer festivals in North America and the UK. Launched on September 2 and running though December 17, “The Graveyard Tour” is Zed’s Dead’s biggest tour to date.

Kissy Sellout and Skream were two of the first to take notice of Zeds Dead, featuring their remix of Blue Foundation’s “Eyes on Fire” on their radio shows, on BBC Radio 1 and Rinse FM, respectively. Soon after releasing their remix of “Eyes on Fire,” Zeds Dead was approached by Dragonette for whom they remixed their 2010 release, “Volcano”. Their original self-released “1975” was featured in GQ Magazine’s 2010 Video Shoot with Russian Supermodel Irina Shayk.

Zeds Dead’s productions can be heard in sets from artists like Diplo, Rusko, Skrillex, and Bassnectar with Kissy Sellout calling Zeds Dead “the future of genres…flipping genius.” In November 2010, Kissy Sellout’s label San City High released Zed’s Dead’s first official single and the title track, “Rudeboy”, reached #7 on the Beatport Dubstep Charts only 48 hours after its release. Their productions have garnered tens of millions of hits on youtube, and their remix of “Eyes on Fire” is the single most-viewed production on the UKF channel.

“They’re becoming internationally known perpetrators of notoriously unconscionable dance-floor violence, dropping dirty wobble, hacking it up with hammer fists, hitting the filthiest frequencies, dragging the bpm down to a slo-mo grind, and then ratcheting it back up to brutal superspeed.” – Miami New Times
“The Zeds Dead boys are the kind of artists who are willing to explore all sorts of genres in bass music and do them all really well. Not to mention they are the best of dogs!”
– Skrillex
“Zeds Dead caught my attention with their bootlegs…they took a different approach to dubstep…with their new releases they keep taking it further”
– Diplo
“Zeds Dead is the future of genres…flipping genius”
– Kissy Sellout
“This is the sound I CRAVE!”
– Bassnectar
“Zeds Dead is what’s been missing in EDM. These guys can produce and play every style”
– 12th Planet
“Zeds Dead is essential in every set”
– Excision

Rob Clarke releases his second EP with Boston label Headtunes, this time showing a deeper, tech-tinged side to his sound. Two original tracks on the ‘Gravity EP’ are remixed by Mike Jules (Greenhouse, Kinjo, Guesthouse) – one an old school house rendition of ‘Gravity’ and the other a leftfield/down-tempo version of ‘The Haunting’. UK dance music stalwart DeepShizzol rounds off the EP with a remix that brings a more driving dancefloor focus and added vocal to the title track.

Rob Clarke’s recent 4 track ‘Depth Charge EP’ and remix of Dirtyworx, both on Headtunes, received praise from DJs including Laurent Garnier, Q-Burns Abstract Message, Luke Solomon, Nacho Marco and Nick Holder. Rob is also known for hosting the bi-weekly Serious Sounds Radio Show on popular net radio station/community Chicago House FM and can also be found spinning at Chicaboom events around the South of England.

Mike Jules originally hails from Australia but now resides in London. He has had a variety or releases and remixes on labels such as Greenhouse, Kinjo, Dustpan and Guesthouse, with his quirky beats and funk-flavoured productions finding favour with the likes of Mark Farina, DJ Sneak, Joshua Heath, Justin Harris and Da Sunlounge. He also produces a deeper/tech style under the Julson moniker.

Spencer T, alias DeepShizzol, was always going to be involved in music – his father was a welder who made cow bells for 70’s African funk band Osibisa and the sound of beating drums was never far away. Over the past 20 years he has DJ’d with some of dance music’s premier names including Carl Cox, Kevin Saunderson and Fabio & Grooverider. A former record store owner and respected name along the UK’s south coast, Spencer has more recently turned to promoting events at clubs including Ministry of Sound and a return to music production has yielded appearances on Cross Section and Save You Records.

Since 2005 Boston based Headtunes Recordings have released music by respected underground producers including Audio Soul Project, Joshua Iz, Pete Dafeet, Dexter and Sleazy McQueen alongside up and coming talents such as Rob Clarke, Brenden Wesley, Markus Mehta, Matt Prehn and Bass Experiment. The labels diverse sound covers everything from nu disco through house and techno. Look out for upcoming projects that will include Jota Wagner, Maelstrom, Jeff Keenan, Homero Espionosa and more.

Following the excellent singles from Maxime Dangles, Alan Fitzpatrick and Wiretappeur, Bedrock keep the quality coming with a superb collaboration between Stelios Vassiloudis & Sasse.
This is the first single to be taken from Stelios Vassiloudis’ forthcoming debut album for Bedrock (release November 2011)
‘The Z’ is the first single to be taken from Stelios Vassiloudis’ (aka Stel) forthcoming debut album for Bedrock and is yet another release from the label that should not be missed.
The original version of ‘The Z’ is a sophisticated, subtle, hip wiggling, percussion led beauty that builds in intensity, throbs and ebbs and flows with supreme ease. Germany’s Steve Bug toughens and tightens up the bottom-end, adding some superb handclaps and turning up the pressure to create a hissing intro build, before adding some stunning detuned elements into his interpretation. Finally, Spain’s Simon Garcia moves away from the percussion-led attitude of the previous versions, creating a more techno inspired remix, full of towering hypnotic synths and hissing hi-hats. ‘The Z’ is undoubtedly a masterful creation and yet another superb package from Bedrock.
You may have already heard Stelios on Bedrock recently in his Wiretappeur guise (his collaboration with Florian Kruse and Nils Nurnberg) with the much loved ‘Everybody Loves Ice Cream EP’. Wiretappeur releases regularly hit the Top 5 of the Beatport charts and their deep house vibes and warm sounds have been firm favourites of many acclaimed DJ's.
Working so closely with Bedrock has resulted in Stelios signing an album deal with the label (scheduled for release in late October/early November). Along with his solo productions, the album also includes collaborations with some key artists and guest vocalists. Presented over two discs, the album commences with a beautiful cinematic soundscape on CD1 whereas CD2 allows Stel to showcase his club sound, which develops from a deep house grooves right through to a techier vibe. Both discs are exquisitely mixed, with each track immersing itself into the next and are set to become a critically acclaimed debut album from this very talented artist.
Stelios is a musician, producer and DJ who has released music under various monikers and aliases over the last 5 years, racking up an impressive discography with, for example, releases on Bedrock, Moodmusic, Fresh Meat and Dieb Audio. His in demand production skills have also garnered numerous remix opportunities for a wide range of artists such as: John Digweed, King Roc, Sasse, Sander Kleinenberg and Shlomi Aber, among others. Some of his most vocal DJ supporters over the years have been luminaries like: Sasha, Josh Wink, Laurent Garnier, Satoshi Tomiie and Stephan Bodzin. As a DJ, Stelios has travelled all over the planet playing his particular brand of deep house and techno to enthusiastic crowds in locations as diverse and intriguing as Brazil, China, Colombia, Russia and Japan among many, many others.
For this Bedrock single release, Stelios has collaborated with Sasse (aka Klas Lindblad) from Finland, whose first releases came out on Sähkö/Puu as Freestyle Man and are considered a milestone in the Scandinavian house sound with the original 12-inches still very much sought after collectors items. In 1996 he started the highly respected Moodmusic label, which was followed by the birth of Sunday Music, a musical platform for Sasse and Henrik Schwarz to release their productions. Having built his beloved BlackHead Studios in Berlin (2005) with companions Ewan Pearson and Filippo "Naughty" Moscatello, he recorded his debut artist album (‘Made Within The Upper Stair Of Heaven’ on Moodmusic), which was followed by the landmark ‘Toinen’ (2008) album. Sasse is a DJ/producer of the highest order and his superb ‘The Z’ collaboration with Stel on Bedrock is set to raise his profile even further.
STELIOS VASSILOUDIS & SASSE
THE Z
1. Original Mix 09:54
2. Steve Bug Remix 08:24
3. Simon Garcia Remix 07:34
(Bedrock Digital) Bedsvs1
Release: 26.09.11
Further info:
www.bedrock.uk.net
www.johndigweed.com
www.bedrockmusic.bigcartel.com

Culprit’s first Various Artists compilation has had a two-year genesis. A meticulously assembled collection providing a sonic blueprint to a maturing label realizing its musical identity, ‘Above The City’ is a fantasy soundtrack to the famed LA rooftop Culprit Sessions.

Joined by the same idea and feeling are some of the most promising young producers around – from Los Angeles’ own Clovis and Nikko Gibler, Londoners Marc Chambers & Soho, Leeds’ rising stars Death on The Balcony through to the Italian contingent of Lula Circus and Nico Lahs, anchored by the experience of label old friends Lee Curtiss & Seth Troxler and Anthony Collins.

A timely release at the tail-end of the label’s summer season of Culprit Sessions, this collection embodies the atmosphere of the imprint’s revered Sunday afternoon rooftop parties – a few golden hours of revelry, betwixt day and night, where friends, lovers and music take on ethereal warmth. The release of ‘Above The City’ is a poignant conclusion to and celebration of Culprit’s most exciting party season to date.

The tracklist of ‘Above The City’ is sequenced to provide a snapshot of an imagined Culprit Sessions soundtrack. A musical guide to the progression of a Sunday afternoon party, which starts out eclectic and jazzy, moves through to deep and dubby, before picking up energy as the dancefloor fills. Throughout, the music remains rooted in Culprit’s modern retro stylistics, both wistful with an acute sense of nostalgia, while still propulsive and funk-ridden.

Culprit’s vibe is one that has resonated with producers around the world. Some are new to Culprit and have never travelled to LA while others have played Culprit’s parties and been frequent guests of the label. But all have taken inspiration from Culprit and channelled this in their own unique ways. The result is a compilation of tracks that flush with individuality and collectively evoke the close of a California summer.